"Back To School" (1986)

Continuing my love for Rodney Dangerfield and college hijinks movie...is the movie where I first saw tits. And NICE ones. For a PG-13 movie, this mook got away with some language AND dirty jokes. This is what I imagined college to be and fought hard to make it so. Aside from the fact that I wasn't a rich middle aged man, this was SO much fun to watch again. I've probably already reviewed this but, now being over 40, it bears watching again. Fuck, I thought the Triple Lindy was real back in 1986.

The story is of Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield), a schlub of a kid who gets the warning from his father, that without an education a man is nothing. Through the montage of images, we see...in fact Thornton didn't get that higher education but became a self-made gazillionaire by opening up fat and tall stores across America. He is married to a shrew of a wife (his fourth) and during a party realizes she is horny for anyone BUT him. This leads to a breakup which leads to Melon going to visit his son Jason Melon in college. He is played by Keith Gordon.

Now when I was a kid, Jason was the killjoy. Thornton is obnoxious and his jokes fall short, but he attempts to inject him with a sense of...reckless fun. Jason is having none of it. He is marginalized by the staple 80's bully Chas played preppily shitty (as he did in "The Karate Kid") by William Zabka. Chas has a typical poor man's Brooke Shields girlfriend Valerie Desmond played by Terry Ferrell. She is sweet and fresh faced and I would've prayed for a girlfriend like this in college. And Jason is head over heels for her.

Thornton decides to stay in college in order to prove to his son that everyone needs and education. No matter what. A fantastic message...that no longer requires college today, BUT still a heart-tugger. He proceeds to use all his finances to make it one massive party for everyone. Eventually Jason grows resentful that his father is essentially buying his college experience rather than earning it.

Rodney in this role is just perfect. I watched this movie constantly up until I went to college. That's a ton of years there. Because he makes the lines work. They are really lame today, but back then...they were great moments to show that life didn't have to be a stick in the mud. The actual thought of a palooka getting rich is amazing.

When we get to the montage of Rodney buckling down to higher education, we are rooting for him the entire time. I've read Rodney has never felt good about life, or that anyone respected him. A lot of comedians got their start because of Rodney and you see the softer side of him in this movie. Considering you never hear of his children.

"Back To School" is a love story in a sense. The love of a father who wants the best for their son and unable to express in money what he can do in life. I think it's a great example of parenthood that is literally putting your money where your mouth is.

I'd probably get shit for not mentioning an incredibly young and pale and sickly Robert Downey Jr. This is the junkie I remember. Spaz toy roommate of Jason who pops up to be...irritating. His role here is of a sidekick, much like Rodney had Burt Young as his limo driver/enforcer. He is unnecessary, but tolerable.

LOVE this movie.